Ladder support



July 7, 1936. o. w. JOHNSON 2,046,516

LADDER SUPPORT Filed Aug. 8, 1953 4 SheetsSheet l 32 5/ F y. E INVENTOR Oliver W Johnson ATTORPQ July 7, 1936. o w JOHNSON 2,046,516

LADDER SUPPORT Filed Aug. 8, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Oliver PV: Johnson BY ATTOR Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in portable ladder supporting apparatus, particularly adapted for use in orchards, and in other situations where such an apparatus may prove useful. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application for U. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 484,775, filed September 2'1, 1930 for Portable ladder supporting apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide means for adjustably disposing any conventional ladder in various angular positions, and firmly holding the ladder in any one of numerous positions of use regardless of the slope or irregularity of the 15 ground, together with a wheeled frame for carrying said means and thereby providing for easy and quick transportation of the ladder from place to place.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable, ladder-supporting apparatus of this character in which the ladder may readily and quickly be attached and detached with reference to said apparatus, permitting use of ladders of different sizes as required and also permitting 5 the ladder and upstanding portions of the laddersupporting means to be folded to inoperative position when the ladder is not in use or when it is desired to move the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide 30 new and improved means for firmly locking the wheels of the apparatus to prevent accidental dislodgment thereof when in use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, ar- 35 rangement and combination of parts, hereinafter illustrated and described in some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings accompanying this specifica- 40 tion and forming part of the application, I have shown certain embodiments which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a conventional i 45 ladder in one position of adjustment in full lines,

and in another position of adjustment in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, broken, vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view, corresponding substantially to line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a ladder clamping device used in connection with, the invention.

Figure 5 discloses a different embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a ladder support 5* illustrating a different embodiment of the invention.

Figure '7 is a side elevational view of the ladder support shown in Fi ure 6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the ex- 10 tensible frame adjusting device used in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 and. 7.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a ladder support disclosing yet another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the ladder support shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail view of the adjustable strut clamp used in connection with the support shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-42, Figure 11; and i Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the stirrups used in connection with the ladder supports shown in Figures 6 and '1 and 9 and 10.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the apparatus comprises a substantially triangular frame Ill having reach rods I I connected at their forward ends by cross bars 12 and I3, the bar I2 being afiixed to the reach rods by staples I4 and the bar I3 by staples l5. The rear ends I6 of the reach rods II are supported by an axle I1, carrying wheels l8, and said ends 16 are rigidly connected to the axle 11 by means of U-bolts I9, and are provided with extensions 20 having curled eye members 2|.

The curled eye members each slidably support the outer end of one of the locking members 22, the inner ends of which are pivotally secured as at 23 to a crank 24 fixedly connected to an operating shaft 25. This shaft is supported by a stirrup 26 carried by the axle I1 and extending forwardly and supported by a tongue member 21, pivotally held in position thereon by a staple 28 loosely disposed thereabout, and having an angular operating finger piece 29. The tongue member 21 is rigidly bolted to the cross bars l2 and I3, projects forwardly of the reach rods H and is tapered at 21 to provide a convenient gripping portion by means of which the triangular frame Ill may readily be maneuvered.

Secured to the under surface of the member 21, by means of a securing bolt 1, is a block 30, provided with an inwardly disposed bifurcated extension 3! spaced from the under surface of the tongue member 2! and defining a recess 32 adapted for the reception of a lower rung 33 of a ladder 34, the latter being detachably held within the recess 32 by means of a latch member 35 pivotally secured to a staple attached to the upper surface of the tongue member 21,.

The latch member 35 has an angular portion 36 extending through a slot 37 in the tongue member 27 and adapted under influence of gravity in one position to project between the furcations of the bifurcated extension 31 thereby securing the rung 33 and the ladder ,34

against detachment with respect to the forward end of the frame l0. 7 l

The upper end portion 38 of the ladder 34 is adapted to be supported by a movable angularly adjustable telescopic, strut 39, tcomprisingaaeslide able section it, the outer end of which carriesa block 4! having pairs of spaced fingersfiZ adapted for :the reception of one :of the upper rungs d4 of the ladder 34 therebetween,,-and :held in position :a hooked latch ;piv.otally carried by the block 4!; serving to retain the-rungM in engagement-with the fingers 6'2. 7

The sliding section 41) is telescopically engaged with a sleeve 45 and adjustably held in various adjusted positions 'with reference to said :sleeve by a set screw 47 tapped through a block i8, securedxto the outer end of the sleeve 46, and adapted to extend into any one of the apertures 8 tp ovided in the section :40, The opposite end of the sleeve 46 is pivotally secured by a pivot pin .49 to a vbearing member 59, pivotally connected togthe a-xle H, and held against lateral movement through abutment on one side with the stirrup 2.6 :and upon :the opposite side with a collar 5!, whereby the sleeve-45 is ireelyswingable in di-rections-atright [angles to eachiother.

The sleeve 46 isadapted to be supported in various angular positions Jaterally of the frame 10 and such adjustment is effected through cooperation with an arcuate :g-uide member .52 having its opposite :ends 53 pivotally secured to the axle l?! by T members 54 located between the rextensions Zll and wheels I18. Adjustable connection between the sleeve 4.6 and the arcuate guide 52 :is effected by means of .a

connector 55 having bores 56 and :5! extending at rightlangles itoeach other and out of registry with each other; 7 V

The bore 56 slidably accommodates the sleeve 416., while the bore ;57 slidably accommodates the arcuate guide member 52, and thesleeve fifi and guidememberfizimay be secured in anyad-justed position by a'set screw 58 extending through connector 55, an aperture in the sleeve 45 and any one of the apertures 59 in the guide member '52; The connector 55 carries a spirit level 9 which may be employed to :find the proper 'vertical position of the strut when the apparatus ;is used on a hillside.

When the laddersupporting apparatusjis set-upcondition, with a ladder in positionthereon, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, for instancejthe apparatus may readily be transported from placeto place by lifting the frame through manipulation of the tongue member 21 transferring the weight of the apparatus tothe Inclination of the ladder 34 longi tudinally of the frame it] may readily be effected by sliding movement of the section G0 with respect to the sleeve A6 and adjustment effected by engaigingthe setscrew'fll 'With a y on of the,

, apertures in the section 40 of the frame is elevated and the opposite side I depressed, adjustment of the position of the ladder may be effected by swinging'the sleeve46 laterally of the frame along the arcuate guide member 52 by manipulation of the set screw 58 engageable ,with any onelof vthe apertures 59 in the arcuate .guide ,men'iber'i'SZ, depending upon the position desired. One adjusted position of the sleeve 65 with reference to the arcuate memt her 52 is shown in full lines in Figure 1 and antdther'adijusted position is shown in dotted lines in said .figure.v

"Ihelad'cler "34 is readily attachable and detachable Withn'espect to the supporting apparatus,,and

elevated :sufliciently to ;-permit theilower rung 33 when it is desired to detach the ladder 3'4 from the apparatus the latch member 35 is to .be removed :fromxthe confining :recess 32; the

tongue-member 2-7 isiightly elevated and the lower end of 'the ladder '34 moved outwardly beyond :21 a sufiicient the end-of the tongue r-member distance :to permit the strut 39 and the arcuate guide :52 to be folded :or .lowered conto the diorward-.end-lof= the.frame in. The hook ;latch 45 may then be disengaged ing the ladder 34 with :respect to the-supporting apparatus. p

Illhe,:suppurtingapparatus in its inoperative position .is exceedingly compact and -occupies very little space and in addition may :readily be handled and stored, differing in this irespect from those constructions in which .the ladder'forms -a permanent ,p-art l-o'f .the equipment.

This equipment is especially useful .in orchards since the vladder, whenimounted (upon. the-apparatus, may readily .be transported, and tilted in variousdirections to the best advantage so as to enable workers 'to ,pick fruit from the trees without .dangerpf injuring'either the trees, fruit, or

themselves, and particularly is this truein connection with trees'whose'branches areitoo fragile thereby completely free to :bear the unsupported-weight of a'ladderplaced thereagain'st; V I l v t Referring to Figure "5 a somewhat different embodiment "(if the invention is disclosed, comprising a'triangularframe identical to theframe lil heretofore referred to, including axle 6B carrying wheels 61, and having reach rods, tongue member, bifurcated extension'andlatch, identical with the reach rods l i 'tongue member 27, bifurcated extension Bi and latch 35 heretofore de-" scribed. A brake' mechanism 62 is also provided'identical with the brake mechanism heretofore described rin1connecti'on'with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. r V

The ladder supporting strut means disclosed in this .embodime'ntgcomprises a pair of sleeves 65 each having atf-their :lower ends a connecting T-fitting 64 rotatablyzan'd 's'lidably carried by the axle-6B, the sliding movement of the T fitting 64 being limited :at one side thereof /by a collar 65 afiixed to the axle and at the opposite side by a :U-bolt 16x6 whichserves tosecure the adjacent reach rod to the axle 60. are so prior-med as to converge toward their outer ends and each sleeve is provided with a fitting ti affixed thereto through which extends :a set screw 68.. .Telescopically engaged with thesleeves 63 are the .legs 59 .of a islidable section 7 0, each leg "69 being provided with a series of apertures spaced at intervals therealong provided for .the

The sleeves 63' reception of the set screws 68 in various adjusted positions of the parts.

Secured to the bight portion I2 of the slidable section 19 is a block I3 having two pairs of spaced fingers I4 adapted to accommodate an upper rung of the ladder therebetween' and a pivoted latch I5 similar to the latch 45 heretofore described, adapted to be swung over and secure the rung disposed between said fingers.

The block I3 is held in position by means of a stem I6 extending through the bight portion I2 and clamped by a U-bolt TI to a cross piece I8, secured to the legs 69 of the slidable section 19.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is identical with that heretofore referred to, with the exception that movement of the strut 'means during the lateral adjustment of the same is efiected through the relative sliding displacement of the legs 69 of the slidable section I9 with reference to the sleeves 63; when one side of the frame is tilted one of the legs 69 slides into the adjacent sleeve 63 while the other leg 69 slides outwardly with reference to the other sleeve 63, such movements being permitted by the slidable connections of the T- members 64 and the axle 69. The legs 69 of the slidable section I9 may be adjustably fixed with reference to the sleeves 63 through manipulation of the set screws 68 adapted to enter the apertures in the legs 69.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6, and '7 comprises a generally triangular frame formed from an axle 99 and a pair of side members 9| which are fixedly secured at 92 to the axle 99. The opposite ends of the frame members are fixedly secured to each other by a relatively short cross member 93. A pair of wheels 94 are journaled for rotation on the outer ends of the axle 92. V

The ladder supporting frame also includes a pair of reach rods 95 one at each side of the frame. Each of these rods has an extensible section 96 guided for longitudinal movement by a pair of rectangular guide members 91 and 98, the first of which is rigid with its corresponding reach rod and slidably receives the extensible section, and the other of which is rigid with the extensible section and slidably receives the reach rod. The forward ends of the extensible members are provided with downwardly directed pointed pins I99 which are adapted for contact with the ground in the use of the apparatus. Pegs I91 are provided to facilitate the movement of the extensible sections of the reach rods.

Fixedly secured to the forward ends of the reach rods 95 are bearing members I92 within which the axle 99 is loosely received. An upstanding curved rack or ratchet segment I93 is fixedly secured at its lower end to the frame members 95 at a point adjacent to the cross member 93. The rack members I93 project above the frame of the apparatus and they are received in a guide I94, one of which is carried by each of the reach rods 95. Adjacent to the handle I95, formed on the outermost ends of each of the reach rods there is carried a trigger or latch member 7 I II and removed from such engagement by manual manipulation of the latch or trigger member I96, whereupon the members 95 and 96 can be adjusted angularly with respect to the frame proper.

A pair of ground contacting blocks II2 are secured to the frame at a point adjacent to the intersections of the side members 9| and the cross member 93. The ratchet adjustment just described is provided for insuring the supporting structure contacting the ground at a number of widely spaced points so that regardless of the unevenness of the ground upon which the support is used it provides a fixed and firm supporting base.

The intermediate portion of the axle 99 carries a pair of rectangular guides or stirrups I I 3 for the accommodation of the side rails of a ladder II 4. Movement of the stirrups on the axle is prevented by a pair of collars I I5, I I 5 which loosely receive the axle and which are adjustably held in position thereon by set screws I I6, I I6. A pair of ladder supporting struts comprising fixed sections II! and extensible sections II8, are secured to the frame by bearing members I29 at the lower ends of the fixed sections in which the axle 99 is loosely received. The sections of the adjustable struts are secured to each other by a pair of bolts having winged nuts I2I. The strut sections I I8 have a plurality of properly spaced holes for such bolts by means of which the section can be adjusted to extend at different distances beyond the ends of the sections I I1.

At the upper end of each of the strut sections I I8 there is provided a clamping device I22 having a clamping screw I23 by means of which the side rails of the ladder are firmly secured to the supporting struts. A pair of chains I24 having one end looped over one of the upper rungs of the ladder and having one of the links of their other end in engagement with hooks I25 carried by the cross member 93, are provided for holding the ladder in place when it is used in the position shown in Figure '7. The upper end of each chain has a hook I26 by means of which the effective length of the chain can be adjusted to change the angle of the ladder.

A high degree of rigidity is imparted to the ladder by reason of the fact that the chains are secured to the upper end of the ladder rather than at some point nearer to the bottom of the ladder. The adjustable clamps provided on the ladder supporting struts and the extensible feature of the struts, permit the tilting of the ladder to one side or the other as may be necessary to keep the side of the ladder in a vertical plane when it is used on uneven or hilly ground.

If the ground is extremely uneven the ladder and its stirrups can he slid along the axle 99 upon the loosening of the set screws IIG of the collars I I5 and the more remote strut can then be used to take most of the load. Under such conditions it might be advisable to lean the ladder sideways a slight degree in the direction of the more remote strut.

In Figure 7 of the dotted line position A of the ladder indicates another position to which the ladder can be readily adjusted by simply securing the ends of the chains in the hooks I21 and then tilting the ladder to the position shown.

When it is desired to move the ladder from one place to another, the latch I96 is pulled toward the operator to release the pins I I9 from engagement of the teeth of the segment I93, whereupon the reach rods are dropped to a position substantially parallel with'thei'frame memb'ers'fi-l, and the ladder 'and'its support can then beimoved. In

' moving the apparatus any considerable distance cross member I5] is at a level above the upper the ladder is ordinarily lowered to 'arsubstantially horizontal position where it rests upon the cross member 93.

In Figure '7 :o'f'lthe dotted line position B sh'ows another manner of using the ladder support. In this use of the'apparatus a second ladder IE8 is leaned against the top of the ladder H4 which is tilted to the position shown at B. The top of the ladder lid. is provided witha U-shaped support I36 for engagement with the .ladder I28. The support I35 is :secured to the ladder 'I M by a pair of clamps I3I which embrace .fthe side rails of the ladder and are 'detachably secured thereto by the clamping "screws I32. 7

a The lowermost rung-o fztheladder 1'28 is received between bars I33 which-are bolted at "I34 to the cross bar93. Holes 135 are drilledin the bars I33 for a pin I36 which is provided for preventing the ladder I28 from escaping from between the bars 133. A hook I31 carried by the support I engages with one of the rungs of the ladder I28 to secure this ladder to the ladder H6. The arrangementijust described permits two persons to use the support at the same time, in which case a person on the ladder I 14 {could be picking fruit from the lower branchesof a tree while a person on the ladder I28 was picking fruit from the upper branches of the tree. The holes I :are provided to permit the adjustment of the base of the ladder I28 towards and away from the base of the I ladder I I4.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 9 and 10 comprises a supporting frame having diverging longitudinal .m'embers I38 with'extensible sections I 40, the endsof which are fixedly secured at MI to an axle I42. The sections I40 are slidably received in guides M3 carried by the ends of the members I38 and these sections of the frame are locked to each other by a bolt IE4 which is received in one of the holes 145. I

The ends of the axle rotatably carry the sup porting wheels I4'6.' The axle M2 is curved to the rear of the frame and at its rearmost part it is secured by a bolt I 5-1 to an adjustable cross brace I 58. The brace IE8 is made in two parts which are slotted at their contacting ends for receiving the bolt M1. The other end of the brace sections are, bolted to the extensible frame sections I40. The rear-most ends of the frame members I38 have hand grips I50 for-med thereon.

A second reinforcing cross member 'I5'I, extending above the level of the frame is provided rearwardly of the brace 148. The top edgeof the most part of the frame. The end parts of the member I5I are longitudinally slotted for receiving the bolts {52 by means of which it is adjustably secured to posts I53 carried by the member 1333. A second cross member 15 3 is connected to the side members I38 at a point intermediate the cross members I43 and I 5 I.

The length of the cross braces I 48 and I5'I is made adjustable to compensate for thelateral Themember I54 maybe'in the form of apiece of steel pipe or tubing. Theoutermost ends of I this tube project through the side members Isa clamps.

working now-arc tion 'on the tube ibyameans of pins I51 which extend through the outermost end parts of the tube. The-extensible part of these struts and their socurement to the ladder are the same as for "thestruts'described in "connection with Figures 6 and 7..

Ata point adjacent the handles I 50 a'pair of hooks 158 "are provided for engagement with one of thelinksof the chains I60. The other ends of the chains are looped about'one of the upper rungs of a ladder :I6I as in the-case of the ladder shown in Figures 6 and 7 The :lowermostrung of the ladder rests upon azpair. of .spaced-stirrups I62 which. are adjustably carried by the tubeor pipe 154. Loosely fitted collars I63hav-ing set screws 164 hold the stirrups in place as previously described. 1 The clamps I22 may be formed "from either a casting or a forging, one side of which has a channel I65 forreceiving the corresponding strut member which may be securedthereto by means 7 to eachother. The stirrups H3 may be in theform of bent rodsas shown in Figure 13,. with the rod ends forming hooks for reception of the tubes 90 or I54. ,Wire loops I69 may be used to prevent removal of the stirrups f rom -the tubes.

In the form of the device shown in Figures. 9 and 10 the struts "I56 rest upon the groundand provide supports for the ladder that can be adjusted to tilt the ladder laterally to one side or the other upon adjustment of the strut length or changing the position-of the ladder gripping strut The angle of the ladder with respect to the work can also be adjusted by lengthening or V shortening the chains I69 as will be readily understood. The ladder can also be swung to the position shown in dotted lines etc in Figure 10, in which case the lower ends of the chains are secured to the hooks I'IO. When the ladder is not in use it can be dropped to the dotted position D shown in Figure 10 whereupon it may be readily moved for use at some other place.

Furthermore it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and, described, and the particular procedure set forth are presented :for'purposes of -explanationand that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be-made without departure from this invention as described in the appended claims. v 7

Having thus described my invention what-i claimis: a

1. A relatively light, portable ladder support having an a-mbulant wheeled frame adapted to be handled by one person and arranged so that it may be pushed into working position under the boughs of a smalltree, and means including a flexible tension member for adjustably supporting a ladder thereon for angular movement through a vertical plane to working positions .inclining 'towardor away from the work, said frame having ground engaging portions extending a considerable distance forwardly and rearwardly of the bottom of the ladder. with means adjacent the ends of the frame for the attachment of said member in supporting saidladder in its various adjusted positions. g

2. A relatively light, portable ladder support having an ambulant wheeled frame adapted to be handled by one person and arranged so that it may be pushed into working position under the boughs of a small tree, and means including a chain for adjustably supporting a ladder thereon for angular movement through a vertical plane to working positions including toward or away from the work, said frame having ground engaging portions extending a' considerable distance forwardly and rearwardly of the bottom of the v ladder with means adjacent the ends of the frame for the attachmentjof said chain in supporting said ladder in its various adjusted positions;

3. A small manually transportable ladder support comprising an ambulant wheeled frame having side members and reinforcing cross members, struts fastened to said frame and engaging the ground at points laterally outside said frame, said struts having means for detachably gripping the side rails of an ordinary ladder at different points I, along their length for'supporting and adjusting the ladder sideways, and means engaging said frame and ladder for adjustably supporting the ladder for angular movement tolimiting positions of adjustment with said frame in a fixed position in which the ladder inclines in one case re'ction and having ground engaging portions, "at least one of the members of said frame being extensible and angularly adjustable about a hori zontal axis with respect to the rest of the support. 7

5. The combination with a work ladder of a small manually transportable frame having fore" and aft ground engaging portions adjustably supporting the ladder for angular movement to dif-'.

ferent operative positions with said frame in a V fixed position, ,incliningin one position towards the work and in another position away from the work, ground engaging struts, means for adjustably and detachably securingtheupper ends of said struts to selected points along the sides of said ladder so as'to'laterally support the load of the ladder, and means for securing said struts to said frame at a point between the fore and aft ground engaging portions thereof.

6. The combination with a work ladder, of a small manually transportable frame having fore and aft ground engaging portions for supporting the ladder from a point intermediate such portions in an operative position adjacent to and out of contact with the work, ground engaging struts, means for adjustably securing the upper ends of said struts to the sides of said ladder at different points along their length so as to laterally support the load of the ladder, means for securing said struts to said frame at a point between the fore and aft ground engaging portions thereof, and means adjustably holding the ladder for angular movement to various working positions with said frame in a fixed position between a position in which the ladder inclines towards one end of the frame and a position in which the ladder inclines towards the other end of said frame.

'7. A ladder in combination with a small manually transportable supporting structure for holding the ladder in working position in a stable manner, said structure comprising frame members extending a substantial distance forwardly and rearwardly of the ladder and arranged at their forward end to contact with the ground at a point beyond the trunk of a tree and means adapted for engaging 'the ladder at different points along its length whereby the ladder first may be adjusted and safely used for work over the center of a tree and then adjusted to a position inclining away from such tree without reversing the position of the frame members of said ladder supporting structure.

8. A relatively light, portable ladder support having an ambulant wheeled frame adapted to be handled by one person and arranged so that it may be pushed into working position under the boughs of a small tree with certain of its ground engagin parts extending substantial distances both forwardly and rearwardly of the bottom of the ladder, and means for adjustably securing a ladder to said support for angular movement to different working positions with said frame in a fixed position in which the ladder may be inclined toward or away from the work, said means being attached to said frame and engaging the ladder at its upper and lower ends only.

9. A relatively light, portable ladder support having an ambulant wheeled frame adapted to be handled by one person and arranged so that it may be pushed into working position under the boughs of a small tree with certain of its ground engaging parts extending substantial distances both forwardly and rearwardly of the bottom of the ladder, and means for adjustably securing a ladder to said support for universal angular adjustment whereby the ladder may be adjusted to different working positions with said frame in a fixed position in which it may be inclined to one side or the other of said support and toward or away from the work, said means being attached to said frame and engaging the ladder at its upper and lower ends only.

10. A relatively light, portable ladder supporthaving an ambulant wheeled frame adapted to be handled by one person and arranged so that it may be pushed into working position under the boughs of a small tree with certain of its ground engaging parts extending substantial distances both forwardly and rearwardly of the bottom of the ladder, and means including relatively rigid compression members and flexible tension members for adjustably supporting a ladder thereon for universal angular adjustment whereby the ladder may be adjusted to different working positions with said frame in a fixed position in which it may be inclined to one side or the other of said support and toward or away from the work, said means being attached to said frame and engaging the ladder at its upper and lower ends only, said compression members supporting the ladder from points laterally spaced a substantial distance from the bottom of the ladder.

11. A relatively light, portable ladder support having an ambulant wheeled frame adapted to be handled by one person and arranged so that it may be pushed into working position under the boughs of a small tree with certain of its ground engaging parts extending substantial distances both forwardly and rearwardly of the bottom of the ladder, and means including struts and a chain for adjustably supporting a ladder thereon for universal angular adjustment whereby the ladder may be adjusted to different working positions with said frame in a fixed position in which it may be inclined to one side or the other of said support and toward or away from the work, said means being attached to said frame tions including wheels and an axle'therefor',

, framework for varying the inclination of they an en a h a d a its pper ahdl wer ends only,said struts supporting the ladder from points later lly spaced a substantial distance from the bottom of the ladder. '12. In a portable ladder support, the combinae tion with an ordinary ladder of a portable frame-. work having widely spaced ground engaging p,or-. tions, and means for detachably and adjustably securi ngthe ladder to said framework including securement devices carried solely by said framework detachably engaging a r fi Of, the ladder at the bottom thereof, other devices attached to said framework detachably engaging a rung of the ladder at the upper part thereof, and means for varying the inclination of the ladder with respect to said framework and for holding it in such positions. 7

13. In aportable ladder support, the combination with an ordinary ladder of a portable frame: work having widely spaced ground engaging porand means for detachably and adjustably securing the ladder to said framework including deviees journaled on said axle and detachablyengaging the bottom part of the ladder, other devices journaled on said axle detachably engaging the upper a t Q'f h a de n mea attac ed to Said;

ladder with respect to said framework and for holding it in such positions.

14. A ladder support comprising a frame with members extending in a generally horizontal die n id. av ng, ro en a in orti s, at least one of the members of said frame being extensible andangularly adjustable about ahori zontalaxis with respect to the rest of the support, and handle means provided for the angularly adjustable member of said frame at the end. of said member remotefromtheground engaging portion thereof. i

A adde up plt ppr s pg af e with members ext q i i h agehera ly. hq zp tal d b i d havin uh eng n r iqnsht least Ohepf hemeh he of aid ame heme ex.-.

na e m ng larl adjustab e ab ut, a. ho in a x w t p t q the es Qfthe upp rt v a e ns a e end. of he angul rly. adiuetaple mem r of. aid rame remote fr m. h gro nd. a n po t n her f. or ackin su h mem;-'

i r h' vario s dj s m n positions,

, 17. A ladder support comprising, a generally 19;

triangular frame. having support wheels at opposite, corners of the frame and'a handle at the third corner thereof for moving the support about from place to. place, means associated with said frame for securing a work ladder in an upright 15, V

and supported position, and locking means for the wheels of said frame having an operating member adjacent to the handleof said frame.

18. A ladder support comprising in combination with an ordinary work ladder, a portable framework, having widely spaced ground engage ing portions, and means for detachably andadiustahlr sec r ng. the'ladder to sa framework including devices detachably engaging a lower rung of the ladder and other devices selectively 25;

attac able to, the; upper rungs ofthe ladder for varying the inclination of the ladder with respect a to said amewqrk. 7 7

l9, A ladder support comprising in combina tion with a work ladder, a portable framework having widely spaced ground engaging portions a d p ched. par s-and di plapeah e e s p rat n with the up s of th adde or. de-

- ac ap yand a ius ahlvsecur n t e ladder at.

d ifer ht oin one. s eheth to d ameor 29- A adde s pp rt. compr s ne n, c mbine: tion with a work ladder, a frame having supportns hee ated a widely spepedlateralporiphs h e n, and te escoping. uts. pivotally nnected bpp ite ate als des of said la ev a ir qwer en s and haj hameans incl ing a. o ch d member and dis lace b e keeper. for

e e tively an dc a hably secur n h ir pper nds to a. uns: o he. adder. wher by fore. nd. aft ndi idewi h iust entsi fthe u per end. of. the

ad er mar h irec ei. v a

7 H,:VER .,WZ 'JOHNS.QN.. 

